Plans for Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park Presented

The monthly meeting of the Adams Recreation Council was held at the Normal Heights Community Center on January 25. The focus of the meeting was a presentation by the Schmidt Design Group of three concept plans for Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park, located at Adams Avenue and I-15 in Normal Heights. The plans for the park were based on feedback from the community.

Approximately 20 residents attended and weighed in on the preliminary plans, which included: a full-size basketball court; space for Little League baseball, if possible; a new community services building (with rest rooms) located near the center of the park; two off-leash dog parks; and a small skateboard park. (Because of noise concerns, the skateboard park garnered little enthusiasm.) Also, more parking would be created along 40th Street.

Amenities suggested by members of the audience included: more adult recreational opportunities, such as badminton, gymnastics, and a frisbee area; a community garden; additional bike racks; and exercise/ workout stations.

Three contiguous lots — nearly an acre in total — at the south end of the park were purchased by the City when Toni Atkins represented District 3. Partial funding came from the 2000 Parks Bond Act

Another meeting on the long-term plans for Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park will be held in March or April. Funding for the improvements would come from the neighborhood's accrued Development Impact Fees. Presently, there are no cost estimates available for the improvements.

Other park-related issues raised at the meeting included: the continuing lack of a joint-use agreement with the San Diego Unified School District, no access to a rectangular area of turf west of the parking lot at 39th Street and Edna Place, poor lighting throughout the park, drugs, prostitution, illegal parking of tow trucks along the east side of 40th Street, and inconsistent enforcement of the rules governing a neighborhood park.